Rep. Cates pre-files anti book ban legislation

New Mexico House Rep. Kathleen Cates, whose district falls within Rio Rancho and Corrales, has pre-filed a bill that would prohibit book banning.

The bill is co-sponsored by state Sen. Harold Pope, whose district lies just south of the Rio Rancho area.

“A public library shall not be eligible to receive state funds unless the library adopts and complies with the American Library Association’s library bill of rights, including the requirement that library materials not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or the author’s race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation or political or religious views,” the bill states.

The bill also asks to adopt written policy prohibiting the “practice of banning books or other library materials within the library or library system” with the same discriminations in mind.

However, the bill also states that political subdivisions “shall not” reduce funding for a public library if they comply with the law, should it come to pass.

In addition, the bill specifies that it is not intended to impose restriction on the right of individuals to challenge library materials.

“The provisions of subsection A of this section are not intended to curtail the right of individuals to challenge library materials as part of an approved library collection development policy following established library materials challenge procedures,” it says.

This bill is introduced nearly 10 months after Mass Resistance took concerns about LGBTQIA-themed books to both the Rio Rancho Governing Body and a library board meeting at the Loma Colorado Main Library. Members demanded the removal of the books but insisted they were not banning them.

At the time, Mass Resistance member Michael Jackovich called the books “satanic” and “porographic.”.

Cates came to the April 27 governing body meeting and spoke in public comment about her support for librarians.

“New Mexico law Article 30-37-2. The idea that Mass Resistance is using this to bully our librarians and threaten our employees is just shameful,” Cates said as she addressed the council.

She spoke at the library board meeting on June 12 as well.

“I am grateful to the peace officers being here. Please protect our libraries. It just really scares me. I don’t want to see anything happen to them over something so subtle,” she said with tears in her eyes.

Should this bill pass and get signed into law, it will take effect July 1.